In the latest effort to stop black bears, mountain lions, elk, and deer from running across Interstate 25 in the traffic-dense Denver metro area, plans are now underway for the construction of a new wildlife overpass.
The project, officially called the Greenland Wildlife Overpass, will be built to the south of Denver, generally halfway to Colorado Springs. One result of the construction, besides making life significantly safer for drivers, is that it will also connect some 39,000 acres of wildlife habitat.
Funding to the tune of $22 million, is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation via the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. That legislation included a Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.
By design, the Wildlife Crossing program funds everything from engineering, design, and actual construction work, to permitting and right-of-way acquisitions.
From its inception, the program has had available up to $350 million in federal funding for wildlife crossing projects.
In a statement, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said the Greenland Wildlife Overpass project will protect both wildlife and outdoor spaces “for generations to come.”
“As a community, we are leading the way when it comes to wildlife crossings, saving people money, and improving safety in the process,” Polis continued.
The new federal funding comes as the Colorado Department of Transportation continues its own efforts to lessen wildlife collisions. That department has so far built nearly 30 miles of new deer fencing, while also creating underpasses through a repurposing of drainage tunnels.
By Garry Boulard
